This is Matilda’s story, an inspiring journey of navigating sight loss and finding profound independence and confidence with the support of MyVision Oxfordshire. Her experience highlights the challenges faced by many young people with visual impairments and the incredible difference the right support can make.
Matilda sitting in a field.
Matilda’s Story: Facing Early Challenges
Matilda’s world began to change when she was around 14, as her vision became intermittently blurry. This was confusing and frustrating. Doctors initially thought her braces were the cause. Even after their removal, her sight continued to worsen, settling into a constant blur by the time she was 15. Despite many tests, a clear cause remained elusive. She was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic condition affecting connective tissue, however, doctors couldn’t definitively link it to her sight loss. She has also been diagnosed with Neoplasia of the brain and central nervous system, another theory to the cause of her sight loss, however, this is noted on her CVI. This left Matilda in a complex and uncertain situation, making it very difficult to know how to move forward.
Before connecting with MyVision Oxfordshire, Matilda struggled significantly with her independence. The lack of a clear diagnosis made it hard to get the right help, and she resisted seeking support for as long as she could. She felt nervous about leaving her home, often relying on others to accompany her. Additionally, she sometimes even needed someone to speak on her behalf. There were days when she barely left the house, feeling isolated and overwhelmed by her sight loss. This was an incredibly tough period for her.
A New Chapter in Matilda’s Story
Around the age of 17, Matilda was referred to MyVision Oxfordshire by the Council’s Visual Impairment team. This marked a turning point in Matilda’s story. Here, she met Jamie, the Technology Officer, a key figure in her journey. Their first sessions were gentle, focusing entirely on building her confidence and practical skills. Jamie taught her to use voiceover on her phone to help her navigate local routes. They started with simple trips, like to the small Tesco and back. These lessons weren’t just about new technology; they were about helping trust in her own abilities.
Slowly, these small steps led to bigger ones. MyVision gave her advice on how to approach everyday tasks that had become daunting, such as boiling a kettle safely and doing the washing independently. These seemingly minor achievements built a strong foundation of self-sufficiency. With continued support, Matilda gained the confidence to do her local food shop independently, navigating with newfound ease. She even started walking her dog on her own, a simple pleasure that had previously required assistance. MyVision’s support wasn’t just about technology, it was about integrating tools into her daily life to improve independence.
Matilda with her dog on a walk.
Building Skills and Community
MyVision also offered her a community. She attended social activities like ice skating and a music group, connecting with other visually impaired people. This showed her the wide range of sight loss experiences and how people adapted, making her feel less alone and part of a supportive network.
As university became a more concrete goal, MyVision’s support became even more tailored. MyVision helped Matilda prepare for independent living, exploring essential cooking skills and other daily living tasks by introducing her to talking appliances like clocks or kitchen scales for example. When she received her new laptop with voiceover software, MyVision’s technology training was instrumental. She was supported to set up personalised shortcuts and master the technology, ensuring she could use it effectively for her studies. This meant she could tackle academic work with confidence, knowing she had the right tools and the expertise to use them.
Matilda’s Story Continues: University and Giving Back
Today, Matilda is thriving at university, just finishing her second year. She is confident and has an amazing group of friends. She credits much of this transformation to the support she received from MyVision Oxfordshire.
“I don’t know where I would be today if it wasn’t for the support MyVision gave me,” she said.
Many who have followed her journey at MyVision, describe her as a completely different person compared to when she first arrived five years ago.
Her journey with MyVision has given her a new, positive outlook on life. She is confident and believes she can achieve anything. What’s more is she is driven by a desire to “give back”. Matilda is now volunteering with MyVision, assisting Lucy, the Children and Young People Coordinator, in organising various events. She has seen first-hand the impact MyVision has on the community and is passionate about helping others as she was helped. The practical skills she learned from MyVision, from mastering assistive technology to managing daily tasks and embracing social interactions, have not only helped her at university and at home but are also helping in her volunteering role and as she looks towards future employment. MyVision didn’t just provide tools; it provided the confidence and belief that allowed Matilda to rebuild her life with optimism and purpose.
Would she recommend MyVision to others?
“Definitely yes!”
Matilda standing in front of her house with her cane.
Matilda standing in the woods smiling at the camera.
Read more stories on MyVision MyStory.
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